New centre to help charity service bids

Welsh Assembly Finance Minister Andrew Davies has visited Carmarthen to officially launch a third sector procurement support unit.

The unit has been created to bring together relevant specialists from Carmarthenshire County Council, Carmarthenshire Association of Voluntary Services, Hywel Dda Health Board and various other partners to support the third sector when tendering for public service delivery contracts.


The unit will either be able to help with any procurement or commissioning related enquiries itself or will be able to help locate the appropriate support.

The unit was launched at The Mount, the voluntary resource centre run by CAVS in Carmarthen.

Mr Davies is pictured with Rhodri Walters, rural comissioning project officer for CAVS; CAVS Chair Cllr Mair Stephens; and CAVS deputy director Cris Tomos. Picture Jeff Connell

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A whole Lotto change since November 1994

It’s hard to believe that The National Lottery is 15 years old this month. Since Noel Edmonds hosted the first live draw on BBC 1 on 19 November 1994, over 2,300 millionaires have been created and more than £35 billion paid out in prize money.

Around 70 per cent of the UK’s adult population regularly play Lottery games and some four million winners scoop a prize every week – from £1 to multi-million pound jackpots.

But they aren’t the only ones feeling the benefit, The National Lottery has become a force for social good unlike any other. In fact, it’s created the biggest programme of civic regeneration in the UK since the Victorian era.

Since 1994, Lottery players have raised over £23 billion for Good Causes, making The National Lottery and its players the world’s biggest philanthropists. Over 25,000 Lottery grants have been awarded in Wales alone to arts, sports, heritage, education, environment, health, charity and voluntary projects, making a huge difference to communities across the country.

As the Lottery turns 15 this week, here are 15 things you might not know:

1. Noel Edmonds hosted the first draw show on 19 November 1994 and over 21.5 million people tuned in
2. 38 is the most frequently drawn number – drawn 251 times since 1994. The unluckiest number is 13, having been drawn the least
3. A host of famous faces have presented the Lottery Draw Show through the years, including Gethin Jones, Jenni Falconer, Eamonn Holmes, Dale Winton, Myleene Klass, Denise Van Outen and the late Bob Monkhouse. The ‘voice of the balls’, Alan Dedicoat has been there from the start
4. The biggest Welsh Lottery winners are Les and Sam Scadding of Newport, who have just scooped £45.6m. In 2007 Jenny Southall won £8.3 million with a ticket from the same shop. Pat Griffiths from Abergavenny won £8,485,162 in January 2004, Mary Jones from Bala won £9,382,496 in January 2004 and John Stinchcombe and John Ackerman from Crumlin shared a £11,544,846 jackpot in July 2006
5. Queen Elizabeth I set up the first British National Lottery in 1566
6. Over £23 billion of Lottery funding has been raised for ‘Good Causes’, which equates to an average of £25 million a week. To put this into perspective, Children in Need, which has received Lottery funding, raised £38million in its 2008 annual appeal
7. Nearly half of all Lottery grants awarded are for less than £5,000
8. Every public library in the UK has been able to go online thanks to Lottery funding
9. Nearly £10 million Lottery funding has gone into redeveloping arts centres, galleries and theatres across Wales which has transformed and invigorated many Welsh communities
10. Thanks to Lottery funding, over £45 million has been invested in land and biodiversity projects in Wales, conserving an area the size of over 1,300 rugby pitches
11. More than £35 million of Lottery funding has been awarded to projects celebrating Wales’ industrial heritage such as Big Pit at Blaenavon
12. £50 million of Lottery funding has been invested in refurbishing and building PE and sports facilities for schools and communities across Wales
13. Lottery funding has enabled over 42,000 WWII veterans to revisit sites around the world where they served during the war
14. Lottery funding is pivotal to the UK’s sporting successes, aiding many of our sporting heroes of recent years, including Welsh gold medalist Cyclist Nicole Cooke. In fact, 437 Olympic and Paralympic medals have been won by British athletes since Lottery funding began, with the Beijing Olympics bringing home the best medal haul for 100 years
15. On average over 100 Lottery grants have been awarded in every single postcode district across the UK.

Some more Lottery facts and figures to consider…

There have been some bizarre requests for Lottery funding. Here’s the top 10 most unusual, all of which were turned down for failing to show any benefit to the wider community:

• A man requested funding so he could teach young people how to time travel
• A woman asked for money to buy a new toaster
• One enquirer asked for money for a reindeer to visit her local school. She wanted a grant quickly as “reindeer tend to be busy, especially at Christmas and therefore get booked up early”!
• One woman requested funding to make automatic ice cube dispensers
• A man wanted Lottery money to build a replica of Star Trek’s Starship Enterprise so that lonely people could meet in a "safe" environment
• A man requested £500 to re-spray his Ford Capri
• A woman wanted a grant to double glaze her house
• One hopeful wanted funding to run a dinosaur farm
• A woman wanted funding to give her garden a makeover. When advised that it had to be available to the wider community, she said that she would invite her friends round for a BBQ
• An elderly woman rang the Lottery helpline to suggest that the Lottery should fund toilets for dogs

Lottery funding has changed the face of Wales. Here are just 10 of the best known, and loved, iconic buildings, structures and natural landmarks to have received Lottery funding to date:

• Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff
• National Botanic Gardens for Wales, Carmarthenshire
• Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
• Wales National Velodrome, Newport
• Welsh Highland Railway, Snowdonia National Park
• National Waterfront Museum, Swansea
• National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth
• Galeri, Caernarfon
• Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire
• Clwyd Theatre Cymru, Mold

Lottery winners have used some imaginative places to hide their winning tickets. Here’s the top 10 most unusual:

• inside a bra
• under a mattress
• under fax machine at work
• stapled to shirt pocket
• in the dog’s basket
• in the microwave
• under a flowerpot
• in a biscuit jar
• in a shoe or sock
• under a chessboard

Lottery funding is helping protect many of the UK’s endangered species from extinction, including:

• basking shark
• black grouse
• cornfield flowers
• great crested newts
• great yellow bumble bee
• horseshoe bat
• red kite
• red squirrel
• water vole

Finally, 1994 was a landmark year in many ways. Here are five of the most memorable moments…aside from the first National Lottery draw:

• Steven Spielberg's film, Schindler's List, won seven Oscars including Best Picture and Best Director
• The Channel Tunnel officially opened
• Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as South Africa's first black president
• Four Weddings and a Funeral was released to huge acclaim. Liz Hurley wore her infamous black Versace dress at the premiere
• Michael Jackson married Lisa Marie Presley

read more... “A whole Lotto change since November 1994”

Christmas at the Cathedral

Don’t forget the Denbighshire County Council Carol Service at St Asaph Cathedral!

The service, which takes place on Wednesday, 2 December at 7pm, will include musical performances from the recently formed Denbighshire County Council choir as well as other talented council staff and school children. It will also include lessons telling the Christmas story, read by staff and councillors.

A collection will be made during the service towards Cancer Research UK – Breast Cancer.

Tea, coffee and mince pies will be served at the Dean's Library (opposite the Cathedral) after the service.

Parking is available in the car park next to the cathedral and also at Ysgol Glan Clwyd.

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Phillips becomes ambassador for charity

Mike Phillips, Ospreys, Wales and star of the 2009 British & Irish Lions, has become an ambassador for the children's charity touraid.

touraid was established to provide youngsters from developing countries a chance to play rugby in the UK - to tour for a week, friends for a lifetime.

The key objective of the Charity is to create lasting legacies between those that become involved in the touring teams; to establish educational, social and economic links between the visiting children and schools and clubs in this country. Following the success of the many rugby tours that have brought disadvantaged children to the UK, other sports and the performing arts are now covered by the touraid model.

Mike Phillips joins former Springbok and World Cup winner, Chester Williams; London Irish and England World Cup Winner Mike Catt; Wasps and England star Danny Cipriani; and former England Women's captain, Sue Day as Ambassadors who help promote the Charity's activities and lend their time and energy to the cause.

He said, "I am very proud to have been chosen to be an Ambassador for touraid. I work with young people whenever I can now because I remember what an amazing experience it was for me to meet professional players when I was younger.

"I am looking forward to meeting the kids when they come over and also seeing first hand how rugby can have a positive effect on their communities. Watching some footage of kids living on the dumps in Cambodia was distressing but seeing how happy they were when they came over to the UK to experience the buzz of the sport was testament to the great job that touraid does. Through working with touraid we will see rugby and other sports making a difference to their lives."

touraid representative Mike Gadbury said. "It is wonderful that Mike wants to help kids all over the world through touraid. He will be a great inspiration for the kids and everyone else involved."

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Pudsey visits Cardiff's coolest attraction

Everyone's favourite bear, Pudsey, paid a special visit to bmibaby Cardiff Winter Wonderland on Sunday, November 15.

Pudsey was there to show his support for the special Children in Need Happy Hour which took place at bmibaby Cardiff Winter Wonderland.

Over £300 was raised during the hour with all money from the 11am till noon skating session being donated. The John Lewis Wheel operated by Sayers Amusements also gave their hour’s takings to Children in Need.

Executive Member for Sport, Culture and Leisure, Cllr Nigel Howells, said: “I would like to thank everyone who took part in the special Children in Need hour and helped to raise money for such a worthwhile cause.”

For more information on bmibaby Cardiff Winter Wonderland including ticket news, session details and entertainment listings, visit www.bmibabycardiffwinterwonderland.com

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Signed by rugby heroes and yours for charity

RUGBY fans are being asked to get shirty for a good cause.

Workers at Swansea Council's transportation department are auctioning off two autographed rugby shirts to raise money for Children in Need.

The shirts, a 2009 British Lions t-shirt and a Wales international jersey, have each been signed by current Welsh stars and coaching staff.

Warren Gatland, Shane Williams, Lee Byrne, Stephen Jones, Ryan Jones and Gethin Jenkins are among those to have signed the tops.

Customer services officer Paul Williams started the ball rolling in the summer.

He said: "I travelled to South Africa to watch the Lions a few months ago and Wales Team Manager Allan Phillips was leading the tour I was on. Children in Need is a fabulous charity and Allan managed to get the Welsh players and coaches on the Lions tour to sign a Lions jersey during the trip.

"I also made contact with Allan after the tour and he arranged for the players and coaches to sign a Welsh international top before the All Blacks match in Cardiff.

"We're now going to auction the tops off and the money from the winning bid will go to Children in Need."

People can take part in the auction by emailing their bid and contact details to paul.williams3@swansea.gov.uk by noon on Friday November 20.

Paul has started the bidding process off at £50 a top.

read more... “Signed by rugby heroes and yours for charity”

JPR to be honoured by Welsh Charitables

On Friday 27th November (the eve of the Wales v Australia match) at Llangoed Hall, Llyswen, Brecon, the Welsh Charitables are holding their annual Tribute Dinner and this year's recipient is the legendary Wales and British Lions full back JPR Williams MBE.

Joining John, Scilla and their family, will be a number of former Wales and British Lion internationals including Clive Rowlands, Gareth Edwards, Phil Bennett, Mervyn Davies, Tom David, Dai Morris and Ike Stephens to name but a few.

Some will give an insight into John as a fellow player, opponent and friend and John has so kindly requested all money raised on the night to go to our "We Want A Million Appeal" to set up a Trust Fund to support the Welsh Charitables RFC nominated charities.

All monies raised on the night will go to the Welsh Charitables RFC "We Want a Million Appeal" to form a Trust Fund to support their nominated charities - St Anne's Hospice, WREX The Wales Rugby Former International Players Association Benevolent Fund, Ty Hafan the family hospice for young lives, and the Princes Trust Cymru who've just recently be added to the supported charities, and St David's Foundation Hospice Care

Tickets for the dinner are £60 per head or £600 per table of 10 and are available from the Hon Secretary David Power who can be contacted on 01633 864938 or 0797370506

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Do you know a community or charitable organisation that is looking for IT equipment and wants to get online?

If so, they can apply for a BT Community Connections award today.

Groups can apply for a laptop and a year’s free broadband connection.

In brief, any organisation, working in any field of community benefit, located anywhere within the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland can apply. In the past voluntary projects, silver-surfers, conservation organisations, family support groups, sports teams and youth groups have been successful.

To find out more and see case studies from past winners simply visit www.btcommunityconnections.com. Remember the deadline to apply falls on 7 January 2010.

read more... “Do you know a community or charitable organisation that is looking for IT equipment and wants to get online?”

Classic fundraising effort from Car Show organisers

Rhondda Cynon Taf’s Mayor’s Charity Appeal is definitely on the road to success – thanks to a classic contribution from one of its key supporter.

Mayor Cllr Robert Smith attended the November meeting of the Glamorgan Classic Car Club this week, where he was presented with £1200 that the organisation had raised at the successful Tonyrefail Classic Car Show.

Cllr Smith was amazed by the amount raised, which will be added to the growing funds in his Charity Appeal, formed to benefit his chosen good causes of Help for Heroes, Diabetes UK (Cymru) and Macmillan Cancer Support.

He thanked the community-minded club for their cheque, which was made possible thanks to the effort they put into organising annual Tonyrefail Classic Car Show, for the benefit of the community, supported by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council.

Cllr Smith said: “I am so touched by the generosity of the Glamorgan Classic Car Club, who already contribute so much in terms of their time and effort to make the Classic Car Show a success.

"Congratulations must also be given to them as they celebrate their 10th anniversary this year."

“This cheque is gratefully received on behalf of my chosen charities and I look forward to the Council’s continued partnership with the Glamorgan Classic Car Club as we push forward to make the Tonyrefail show even bigger and better in 2010.”

read more... “Classic fundraising effort from Car Show organisers”

Rhondda Primary School children are Mayor's heroes and heroines

Rhondda primary school children are real-life heroes and heroines as far as Mayor Cllr Robert Smith is concerned, thanks to their fancy dress efforts.

Pupils at Pontrhondda Primary School in Llwynypia recently celebrated National Poetry day and dressed up as their favourite characters to mark National Poetry Day, which had the theme of Heroes and Heroines.

They then decided to do a spin on the day and hold a collection for Help for Heroes, which is one of Mayor Cllr Smith’s chosen three charities for his year in office.

The kind-hearted children, inspired to do a collection due to the amount of news coverage they had seen on our injured servicemen and women on the television, raised £80, which they recently presented to the Mayor.

Cllr Smith and his consort Margaret visited the school to receive the cheque. He said: “I am overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness and kindness of the pupils at Pontrhondda School.

“I know they had a wonderful day dressed up in order to raise the money, but what touches me most is the sentiment behind what they did, and what inspired them to want to raise money for Help for Heroes.

“The images we are all aware of, via the television and newspaper, should serve as an inspiration to all of us to do what we can to help those brave souls who are injured as they fight on behalf of us and our country.

“It inspired me, which is why I chose Help for Heroes, as well as Macmillan Cancer Relief and Diabetes UK (Cymru) as my charities for my year in office, and I am pleased it is inspiring others.”

For more information on the Mayor’s Charity Appeal, forthcoming events and how to get involved, visit www.rctcbc.gov.uk

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Personal plea from Warren Gatland

Wales coach Warren Gatland urges fans to give generously tonight when Wales host Samoa at the Millennium Stadium, to help rebuild Samoa after a tsunami destroyed the tiny south Pacific island in September.

Today I am asking for the powerful and fantastic support which inspires our players on the pitch to be used to help a worthy and desperately important cause on the other side of the world.

Please give generously to the Samoa Tsunami Relief Fund bucket collection which is taking place inside and outside the Millennium Stadium before, during and after the Friday night international.

On the pitch the players from both sides will give one hundred per cent for their teams and their nations in a Test match battle which will be played with no quarter given.

But rugby is proud of its reputation for representing basic principles and values which will be epitomised when the teams shake hands after the final whistle is blown.

Many of our team play their Regional rugby alongside players whose families have been directly affected by that terrible disaster which struck their homeland on September the 29th.

We know that the Samoan players and coaches now visiting Wales share that hurt through the plight of friends and family.

None of us will forget the images of the disaster which happened when a Tsunami wave swelled from an undersea earthquake and struck the South Sea Islands.

A least 135 people are known to have died with many victims being swept out to sea and lost for ever when the wave receded after causing its shoreline destruction.

Buildings were torn apart and whole communities washed away.

The pictures flashed around the world in newspapers and on television screens show isolated tree stumps standing in shoreline wastelands where families once lived in beautiful towns and villages.

Right now the focus is on supplying food and shelter to the families rendered homeless by the wave and helping the injured recover.

But the government of Samoa has already estimated that the long term project to rebuild the infrastructure of the island will cost well in excess of £150 million. That figure could multiply dramatically when the full impact of the Tsunami is assessed.

Here the Welsh Rugby Union acted quickly to announce a cash collection which will make a small but important contribution to the cause.

By writing this open letter I also hope to encourage people who are not attending the game to give what they can to this very worthy cause. The government of Samoa has very kindly thanked the WRU for acting decisively and showing our support at this difficult time.

We are grateful for that thanks, but our help is offered simply in the name of humanity and in the spirit of the bond of friendship Wales and Samoa share through rugby.

In camp our minds are focused on winning and I am absolutely certain that the Samoan squad are equally committed to achieving victory at the home of Welsh rugby.

The Samoan rugby team will come to Cardiff in determined mood and we must be equal to them on the pitch, but off the pitch we are also keen to offer help after the tragic events of the recent Tsunami disaster.

We all take pride in the dignity of our sport and we must not fail to take this opportunity to add, in some small way, to the help being aimed at the relief efforts.

Our bucket collection is for the official Samoan government relief fund but there are also many more agencies delivering vital help at this time.

Wales is known the world over for the pride and power of its support for our national sport and we know that energy can be utilised for good causes when the need exists.

Without apology I repeat my plea to everyone attending the match at the Millennium Stadium: please give generously to the Samoa Tsunami Relief Fund bucket collection and make a difference.

Thank you.

read more... “Personal plea from Warren Gatland”

Mumbles RNLI lifeboat appeal gets an early Christmas present

A 68-year-old man from Swansea has helped raise over £3,000 for the local Money for Mumbles Tamar lifeboat appeal. James King spent 15 days walking the 177 miles along the ancient path of Offa’s Dyke from Chepstow to Prestatyn. His efforts were concentrated on gaining sponsorship to raise money for the RNLI charity.

Setting out mid September, his solo journey involved overnight stays in local guest houses and also camping out under the stars.

Mr King, of Clydach says: ‘I wanted to do the walk but thought it would be useful to raise money for a good cause at the same time, many friends and relatives pledged money for every mile I walked.’

Tim Conway, RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager at The Mumbles says: ‘The RNLI is a voluntary service which receives no government funding. It’s only through the efforts of fundraisers like James King that we can continue to save lives around the British coastline, we’re eternally grateful for his efforts’.

The Mumbles Lifeboat station hit the headlines earlier this summer when it was put to task six times in 24 hours. In July this year the volunteer crews’ day started at 4.22am and following the rescue of three boats and three calls for swimmers in the water ended at 1.20am the next day with no casualties.

The RNLI has set a £150,000 fundraising target over the next three years towards a new £2.7m Tamar class boat for Mumbles. The Tamar lifeboats are the most advanced vessels operated by the RNLI, providing all weather rescue capabilities and will replace the current Tyne class rescue boat that currently serves Mumbles.

read more... “Mumbles RNLI lifeboat appeal gets an early Christmas present”

Last chance to support Operation Santa

The deadline is fast approaching for local people to help children in the Caerphilly county borough recieve a special treat this year.

A Christmas appeal organised by Caerphilly county borough council called Operation Santa is aiming to support over 650 children in the area this year.

These children are not helped by any other appeal and have been nominated by social workers who work with families across the county borough.

Local people can pledge to buy a toy and choose the age, gender and geographical area of the recipient.

The deadline for pledges has been extended until 13th November. To take part either ring the Pledge hotline 01443 866577 or or e-mail Operation Santa and pledge to buy a present for a child.

The gifts can then be delivered to one of the collection centres situated across the county borough by Friday 4th December.

Collection Centres

• Harper and Wallis, Estate Agent, Hanbury Road, Bargoed.
• Blackwood Library, Blackwood.
• Barclays Bank, Ystrad Mynach.
• Caerphilly County Borough Council, Penallta House, Ystrad Mynach.
• Lloyds TSB Bank, Rhymney.
• Visit Caerphilly Centre, The Twyn, Caerphilly.
• Caerphilly Garden Centre, Penrhos, Nantgarw.
• Risca Family Centre, Brookland Road, Risca.

read more... “Last chance to support Operation Santa”

Follow the bear to bmibaby Cardiff Winter Wonderland

Join everyone's favourite bear, Pudsey, at bmibaby Cardiff Winter Wonderland this Sunday 15 November when he visits the open air ice rink and John Lewis Wheel for a special BBC Children In Need Happy Hour to help raise money for the charity.

Pudsey will be encouraging everyone to take a ride on the John Lewis Wheel between 11am and 12 noon with all proceeds during this hour being donated to BBC Children in Need.

In addition to this, a special skating session on the open air ice rink at bmibaby Cardiff Winter Wonderland has been organised from 11am to 12 noon, with all tickets priced at £2.50 during this time. All the money raised from this session will also be donated to the charity.

Tickets for the John Lewis Wheel operated by Sayers Amusements are £3.50 for adults and children over 1.4m, £2.50 for children under 1.4m and £3.00 for concessions.

The aim of BBC Children In Need is to make a positive change to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in the UK.

Executive Member for Sport, Culture and Leisure, Cllr Nigel Howells, said: “The BBC Children in Need Happy Hour at bmibaby Cardiff Winter Wonderland provides a great opportunity to raise money for a worth while cause, whilst having fun at the same time.

“I am sure Pudsey will enjoy his visit to bmibaby Cardiff Winter Wonderland and I hope we are able to raise lots of money during this special hour.”

For more information on bmibaby Cardiff Winter Wonderland including ticket news, session details and entertainment listings, visit www.bmibabycardiffwinterwonderland.com

read more... “Follow the bear to bmibaby Cardiff Winter Wonderland”

Education Really is a Gift

The University of Glamorgan’s Business School last week launched Glam Gift – Build a Future, a one month campaign of fundraising activities by its staff and students. Working with Oxfam (Cymru) staff and students are aiming to raise at least £1700 to build, equip and refurbish a school in a less privileged part of the world by Christmas.

Henry Enos the project co-ordinator said “Glam Gift – Build a Future’ aims to give young, disadvantaged people access to and experiences which will transform their futures but our aim is not only to build a school but global citizens for the future”.

Monica Gibson –Sweet the new Dean of the Glamorgan Business School, who came up with the Glam Gift concept said “I think that the idea of making a difference is embedded within the culture of this Faculty and this is an opportunity for us all to work together as a Business School and create a real educational legacy for those less fortunate than ourselves. It will also leave a legacy for our students who will build their employability skills from the generation of creative ideas through to the project management of events. I am delighted that the concept has really taken off and been adopted with such enthusiasm by our staff and students”.

Raffles, races, car boot sales and Wii fit Olympics are just some of the fundraising activities that will be taking place across the month. To add a competitive challenge to the fundraising and to reward the effort required, the Dean of the Business School has set up 10 new awards including: the largest amount raised by a single class of students; the most creative fundraising event; the greatest number of participants in one event and for the largest amount raised by an individual student.

Prizes will be awarded on Wednesday 4th December when the competition ends and the total amount raised will be announced.

read more... “Education Really is a Gift”

Get stripped for Wales

Red Dragon FM and WRU have teamed up to launch 'Get Stripped for Wales'.

They are encouraging schools and workplaces to leave their uniforms or suits at home and wear their Wales rugby 'strip' on November 13th, ahead of Wales v Samoa which kicks off at 7.30pm at the Millennium Stadium.

Wear your national rugby strip to work on November 13th, donate a minimum of £1 and 'Get Stripped for Wales'. The money will go to Red Dragon FM's Charity Help a South Wales Child and The Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust

Celebrities, already backing the day, include Kelly Jones from the Stereophonics, former boxer Joe Calzaghe and singer Katherine Jenkins.

Kam, from Kam and Sally at breakfast said: "We're all passionate about supporting Wales and this is a great chance to help local charities at the same. We'll be getting stripped."

So 'Get Stripped for Wales' on November 13th and have fun whilst helping these great causes.

To register your school, college or work place, complete the form online at: www.reddragonfm.com

Tickets for Wales v Samoa are just £10 for kids and £15 for adults and available from www.wru.co.uk/tickets

read more... “Get stripped for Wales”

Officers and staff tickled pink

Over £1,000 has been raised for Breast Cancer awareness by generous staff and officers from North Wales Police.

To help raise the cash for Breast Cancer Awareness Day, held last Friday, 30th October, staff throughout North Wales were encouraged to come to work wearing pink, buy home-made cakes and buy raffle tickets.

“Throughout the force people have been very generous and dug deep into their pockets for charity,” said Andy Lewis, Physical Activities Co-ordinator for North Wales Police.

“The biggest amount was collected by officers and staff at the Control Room in St Asaph, where they held a prize draw to win a week’s holiday – thanks to the amazing generosity of Pat Hobson, a member of staff who donated the holiday at her Spanish villa.

He added: “Home-baked cakes and cookies were sold and some staff even wore pink furry boots and pink day-glo socks!”

To help raise awareness of Breast Cancer, posters have been distributed to officers and staff across the force, encouraging them to look for developing signs of breast cancer and also raise awareness of the Breast Cancer Awareness charity.

Andy said: “Over a million people nationwide took part in the event last year and it’s good to know that North Wales Police have helped to contribute to this very worthwhile cause.”

Further details regarding the Wear It Pink Campaign can be accessed via their website – www.wearitpink.co.uk

Photograph: shows staff outside the Force Control Room in St Asaph.

read more... “Officers and staff tickled pink”

Bangers and Cash

Welsh pub operator S.A Brain and Co Ltd has put a whole new slant on the business of fundraising. Brains pubs have amassed thousands of pounds for charity through sausage and mash sales alone.

41 Brains owned pubs have contributed to the total by donating 20 pence from every sausage meal sold over the last 18 months, which combined amounts to £3,500.

Benefiting from the sausage donation is Wooden Spoon; the Rugby based charity which supports disadvantaged children and young people. Brinley Groves, Chairman of the South Wales region of Wooden Spoon, was yesterday presented with the cheque from Retail Director Philip Lay. He said: "We are normally an events-led Charity but a number of local companies also support us by nominating Wooden Spoon as their benefiting Charity. In particular, Brains has been very good to Spoon for some time now and this promotion was typical of their imaginative approach. When I was told the amount raised, I was amazed but grateful that another project could be supported in South Wales with this donation".

Philip Lay, Retail Director at Brains said: "We’ve been involved with Wooden Spoon for some years and are always looking for ways to support them. We selected one of the most popular dishes on our menu, which has not only helped raise a huge amount but – by featuring the Wooden Spoon message on menus – also helped raise awareness. The dish remains on pub menus so we look forward to handing over another cheque next year."

Photograph: Brinley Groves (left) receives the cheque from Philip Lay. The sausage featured in the pub meal spell out the amount raised.

read more... “Bangers and Cash”

AM Paul Davies supports the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal

Preseli Pembrokeshire AM Paul Davies is pictured with the Royal British Legion’s “Poppy Man” in a bid to remind everyone to support the 2009 Poppy Appeal.

Mr Davies also met veterans who have recently served in Iraq and Afghanistan at the special event held in Cardiff.

The Poppy Man is the embodiment of the Legion’s work, and stands for Help, Remembrance and Comradeship, a symbol of vital importance given the increasing need to help the men and women who are serving today, as well as the ex-Service community and their dependants.

Claire Williams from the British Legion said: “I am delighted that Paul made the time to meet with the Poppy Man as well as veterans today. It is vital that we continue to remember the serving and ex-Serving community, especially at a time when our troops are fighting in Afghanistan .”

Mr Davies added: “I am delighted to support the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal in Wales. The Legion does very important helping bereaved families and wounded personnel as part of the whole Armed Forces family. I hope that people will be as generous as they can be when supporting the Poppy Appeal”

read more... “AM Paul Davies supports the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal”

Countdown starts to 29th annual Mayor’s Fun Run

It will take place, as usual, on Easter Monday, which next year falls on April 5, 2010.

For those of you who like plenty of warning, there are now just over 20 weeks left to get into shape for the 5k fun run and a series of junior races.

“The race is one of the highlights of the year in Carmarthen,” Deputy Town Mayor Councillor Alan Speake said this week.

“I would urge everyone, young and old, to consider taking part and making the event a great fun occasion for Carmarthen town.”

Councillor Speake is chairing the Mayor’s Fun Run Steering Group in the run-up to race day.

He added: “The event is recognised as a great occasion in Carmarthen. So, if you want to get into shape over the winter months ready for the big race day, then now is the time to start.”
Runners are being encouraged to dress up in fancy dress and field pub and club teams.

The junior races cater for Years 2-10. The senior fun run has categories for males and females under 40 and 35 and veterans groups for older age groups.

Everyone who completes the course gets a medal.

Entry forms will be published in the Journal in the new year. The forms will also be published in the new year on the Journal’s website, www.thisiscarmarthenjournal.co.uk and the Mayor’s Race website, www.rasusymaer.org.uk. Online registration for the run will also be available on the Runner’s World website, www.runnersworld.co.uk Race organiser Noelwyn Daniel said the race route which be the same as in previous years.

He added: “It is a tried and tested formula with the senior runners having three laps of the town centre circuit. Both the runners and the spectators like the fact that the whole event is staged very centrally in the middle of Carmarthen town centre.”

The 2009 races raised cash for four youth-orientated charities and organisations - £500 each for Dr Mz, Ty Ni, Ty Hapus and the ATC.

read more... “Countdown starts to 29th annual Mayor’s Fun Run”